Florida law protects student-led public prayers, benedictions…

Sponsored by Rep. Van Zant and Sen. Siplin, and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, SB98/HB317 (Chapter No. 2012-9) states that a district school board may adopt a policy allowing an inspirational message to be delivered by students at a student assembly. The policy must provide that students who are responsible for organizing any student-led portion of a student assembly shall (1) have sole discretion in determining whether an inspirational message is to be delivered, and (2) choose the student volunteers who will deliver an inspirational message. The student volunteers shall be solely responsible for the preparation and content of the inspirational message.